Transferable patient care equipment support

ABSTRACT

A patient care equipment support is transferable between a first device having a first coupling member and a second device having a second coupling member. The equipment support comprises an equipment supporting portion configured to support patient care equipment and a coupler coupled to the equipment supporting portion and having first and second clamps. The first clamp is configured to grip the first coupling member and the second clamp is configured to grip the second coupling member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a patient care equipment support, andmore particularly relates to a transferable patient care equipmentsupport.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hospitalized patients often require patient care equipment to be inclose proximity during hospital care. Such patient care equipment istypically supported on a patient care equipment support such as, a rack,shelf system, cabinet, or the like. Examples of patient care equipmentinclude, but are not limited to, the following: heart monitoringequipment, medical gas delivery equipment, infusion managementequipment, intra-venous bags, equipment monitors, patient monitors,defibrillators, IV poles, and the like, many of which directly connectto the patient via lines or tubes.

It is desirable that patient care equipment is transferable between apatient support, such as a hospital bed, a support structure, such as aceiling or wall-mounted equipment support arm, and a wheeled cart orstand. An illustrative patient care equipment support that istransferable between a hospital bed, a service column and a wheeledstand is disclosed in a U.S. Patent Application, Publication NumberUS-2006-0242763-A1, which application is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises an apparatus or a method having one ormore of the features recited in the claims or one or more of thefollowing features, which alone or in any combination may comprisepatentable subject matter:

A patient care equipment support may be transferable between a firstdevice, such as a hospital bed having a first coupling member, a seconddevice, such as an arm system having a second coupling member, and athird device, such as a wheeled cart having a third coupling member. Theequipment support may comprise an equipment supporting portionconfigured to support patient care equipment and a coupler coupled tothe equipment supporting portion and having first and second clamps. Thecoupler may comprise a post that extends downwardly from the equipmentsupporting portion and the first and second clamps may be coupled to thepost on first and second sides of the post.

The first clamp may grip the first coupling member of the first devicewhen the equipment support is carried by the first device. The equipmentsupport may be transferred from the first device to the second devicewhen the second clamp grips the second coupling member of the seconddevice and the first clamp releases the first coupling member of thefirst device to allow the first device to move away from the seconddevice (or to allow the second device to move away from the firstdevice). The equipment support may be transferred from the second deviceto the third device when the first clamp grips the third coupling memberof the third device and the second clamp releases the second couplingmember of the second device to allow the third device to move away fromthe second device (or vice versa).

The equipment support may be transferred from the third device to thefirst device when the second clamp grips the first coupling member ofthe first device and the first clamp releases the third coupling memberof the third device to allow the first device to move away from thethird device (or vice versa). Thus, the equipment support may betransferred from the first device to the second device to the thirddevice and back to the first device, in any order.

The coupler may include a mounting block. The first clamp may include afirst jaw and a first handle coupled to a first side of the mountingblock and a first link coupled to the first jaw and coupled to the firsthandle. The first jaw may move between a closed position and an openedposition as the first handle moves between a closed position and anopened position. The second clamp may include a second jaw and a secondhandle coupled to a second side of the mounting block and a second linkcoupled to the second jaw and coupled to the second handle. The secondjaw may move between a closed position and an opened position as thesecond handle moves between a closed position and an opened position.

The mounting block may have a bore through which the post extendingdownwardly from the equipment supporting portion may extend. The firstjaw may be coupled to the first side of the mounting block for pivotingmovement about a first pivot pin. The first handle may be coupled to thefirst side of the mounting block for pivoting movement about a secondpivot pin. The first link may have a first end coupled to the first jawfor pivoting movement about a third pivot pin. The first link may have asecond end coupled to the first handle for pivoting movement about afourth pivot pin. The mounting block, the first jaw, the first handle,and the first link may form a four bar linkage.

The second jaw may be coupled to the second side of the mounting blockfor pivoting movement about a fifth pivot pin. The second handle may becoupled to the second side of the mounting block for pivoting movementabout a sixth pivot pin. The second link may have a first end coupled tothe second jaw for pivoting movement about a seventh pivot pin. Thesecond link may have a second end coupled to the second handle forpivoting movement about an eighth pivot pin. The mounting block, thesecond jaw, the second handle, and the second link may form a four barlinkage.

The first coupling member of the first device may comprise a first postthat is configured to be received in a first post-receiving cavitydefined by the first jaw and the mounting block when the first jaw ismoved to the opened position in response to the first handle moving tothe opened position. The first post may be clamped between the first jawand the mounting block when the first jaw moves to the closed positionafter receiving the first post in the first post-receiving cavity inresponse to the first handle moving to the closed position.

The second coupling member of the second device may comprise a secondpost that is configured to be received in a second post-receiving cavitydefined by the second jaw and the mounting block when the second jaw ismoved to the opened position in response to the second handle moving tothe opened position. The second post may be clamped between the secondjaw and the mounting block when the second jaw moves to the closedposition after receiving the second post in the second post-receivingcavity in response to the second handle moving to the closed position.

The equipment support may further comprise a lock configured such thatin case only one of the posts is received in one of the post-receivingcavities and the associated handle is moved to the closed position, saidone of the posts is locked to the equipment support coupler, and suchthat in case any two of the three posts are received in the twopost-receiving cavities, both of the handles are unlocked so thatrespective engagements of both posts and the equipment support couplerare releasable.

The lock may comprise a first slider and a second slider. Each slidermay be movable between a retracted latching position and an extendedunlatching position. Both sliders may be spring biased toward theirrespective retracted positions. When the first slider is in itsretracted position, a first tab of the first slider may project into thesecond post-receiving cavity and a first hook of the first slider mayengage the third pivot pin to lock the first handle in the closedposition. Likewise, when the second slider is in its retracted position,a second tab of the second slider may project into the firstpost-receiving cavity and a second hook of the second slider may engagethe seventh pivot pin to lock the second handle in the closed position.

The lock may be configured such that, when the first post is received inthe first post-receiving cavity, the first post pushes the second tabout of the first post-receiving cavity against the spring bias to shiftthe second slider to its extended position to disengage the second hookfrom engagement with the seventh pivot pin to unlock the second handleto allow it to move between its open and closed positions, and suchthat, when the second post is received in the second post-receivingcavity, the second post pushes the first tab out of the secondpost-receiving cavity against the spring bias to shift the first sliderto its extended position to disengage the first hook from engagementwith the third pivot pin to unlock the first handle to allow it to movebetween its open and closed positions.

Each slider may have two slots through which the first and fifth pivotpins extend so that the sliders may shift between their respectiveretracted positions and unlocking positions. The lock may furthercomprise a spring that is situated in a state of compression between theinwardly-facing edges of the first and second tabs to bias the first andsecond sliders to their respective retracted locking positions so thatthe first tab projects into the second post-receiving cavity and thesecond tab projects into the first post-receiving cavity, so that thefirst hook engages the third pivot pin to lock the first handle in itsclosed position and so that the second hook engages the seventh pivotpin to lock the second handle in its closed position.

In other embodiments, the equipment support may comprise a latch that ismovable to the first side when the first handle is in the closedposition to lock the first handle and the first jaw in their respectiveclosed positions and to unlock the second handle to allow it to movebetween its closed and opened positions and the latch may be movable tothe second side when the second handle is in the closed position to lockthe second handle and the second jaw in their respective closedpositions and to unlock the first handle to allow it to move between itsclosed and opened positions. The latch may not be movable to the firstside when the first handle is in the opened position and the latch maynot be movable to the second side when the second handle is in theopened position.

The equipment supporting portion may comprise an upper cross bar, alower cross bar and a pair of telescoping outer posts extending betweenthe upper and lower cross bars. A central post may also extend betweenthe upper and lower cross bars. The first and second clamps may becoupled to a lower portion of the central post that extends below thelower member.

Each outer post may comprise a first portion and a second portion thatmay telescope into and out of the first portion and a lock movablebetween a releasing position allowing the second portion to telescopeinto and out of the first portion and a locking position preventing thesecond portion from telescoping relative to the first portion. Eachouter post may further comprise a plurality of IV bag hooks coupled toan upper end of the second portion. The equipment support may furthercomprise a pair of handles extending forwardly from the lower memberadjacent to the outer posts.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for use with a patientcare equipment support having a downwardly-extending post. The apparatusmay comprise a support, an arm extending outwardly from the support anda clamp carried by the arm. The clamp may be configured to grip thedownwardly-extending post of the equipment support when the equipmentsupport is carried by the apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatusmay comprise a patient support, such as a hospital bed. The bed maycomprise a lower frame supported on casters and an upper frame supportedabove the lower frame and movable between a raised position and alowered position. The arm may extend outwardly from the upper frame andthe clamp may be coupled to the arm.

In other embodiments, the apparatus may comprise an arm system. The armsystem may comprise a service head that extends downwardly from aceiling-mounted radial arm. The arm may extend outwardly from theservice head and the clamp may be coupled to the arm. In still otherembodiments, the apparatus may comprise a wheeled cart. The cart maycomprise a base supported on wheels and a telescoping column extendingupwardly from the base. The arm may extend outwardly from thetelescoping column and the clamp may be coupled to the arm.

In some embodiments, the clamp may comprise a movable jaw coupled to thearm, a handle coupled to the movable jaw, and a link coupled to thehandle and coupled to the arm. The movable jaw may move between a closedposition and an opened position as the handle moves between a closedposition and an opened position.

The movable jaw may be coupled to the arm for pivoting movement about afirst axis. The handle may be coupled to the movable jaw for pivotingmovement about a second axis. The link may have a first end coupled tothe handle for pivoting movement about a third axis and the link mayhave a second end coupled to the arm for pivoting movement about afourth axis. The arm, the movable jaw, the handle, and the link may forma four bar linkage.

The downwardly-extending post of the equipment support may be configuredto be received in a post-receiving cavity defined by the arm and themovable jaw when the movable jaw is open. The post may be clampedbetween the arm and the movable jaw when the movable jaw closes afterreceiving the post in the post-receiving cavity in response to thehandle moving to its closed position.

The handle may pass through an over-the-center position as it moves fromits opened position to its closed position. The post may exert anoutward force on the movable jaw in a direction that may hold the handlein the past-over-the-center closed position. The apparatus may furthercomprise a latch movable between an unlatched position in which thehandle is movable between its closed and opened positions and a latchedposition in which the handle is latched in the closed position.

In some embodiments, a patient care equipment support may comprise anupper member, a lower member, a pair of outer posts extending betweenthe upper and lower members adjacent the opposite ends of the upper andlower members, a column extending between the upper and lower membersbetween the two outer posts, and a first clevis including top and bottomflanges extending forwardly from the column. The top and bottom flangesof the first clevis may include top and bottom first openings. In someembodiments, the equipment support may further comprise a second clevisincluding top and bottom flanges extending rearwardly from the column.The top and bottom flanges of the second clevis may include top andbottom second openings.

The equipment support may be transferable between a first device and asecond device. The first device may comprise a first support, a firstarm extending outwardly from the first support, a first manual inputcoupled to the first arm, and a pair of oppositely-disposed top andbottom first pins that are movable relative to the first arm betweenrespective retracted and extended positions in response to movement ofthe first manual input between a releasing position and a lockingposition. The top and bottom first pins may be configured to be receivedin the top and bottom first openings in the top and bottom flanges ofthe first clevis when the equipment support is carried by the firstdevice and the first pins are disposed in their respective extendedpositions.

The second device may comprise a second support, a second arm extendingoutwardly from the second support, a second manual input coupled to thesecond arm, and a pair of oppositely-disposed top and bottom second pinsthat are movable relative to the second arm between respective retractedand extended positions in response to movement of the second manualinput between a releasing position and a locking position. The top andbottom second pins may be configured to be received in the top andbottom second openings in the top and bottom flanges of the secondclevis when the equipment support is carried by the second device andthe second pins are disposed in their respective extended positions.

Additional features, which alone or in combination with any otherfeature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims,may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode ofcarrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the following figures,in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patient care equipment supporttransferable between a first device, such as a hospital bed having afirst upwardly-extending post, a second device, such as an arm systemhaving a second upwardly-extending post, and a third device, such as awheeled cart having a third upwardly-extending post, and showing theequipment support having an equipment supporting portion and a couplercoupled thereto, the equipment supporting portion having upper and lowercross bars, a pair of outer posts extending between the upper and lowercross bars, a central post extending between the upper and lower crossbars between the two outer posts, and a plurality of IV bag hookscoupled to upper ends of the outer posts, and the coupler having amounting block coupled to a lower portion of the central post extendingbelow the lower cross bar and first and second clamps coupled to firstand second sides of the mounting block;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the coupler showing themounting block having a central bore for receiving the lower portion ofthe central post, the first clamp having a first jaw and a first handlecoupled to the first side of the mounting block and a first link coupledto the first jaw and coupled to the first handle, the second clamphaving a second jaw and a second handle coupled to the second side ofthe mounting block and a second link coupled to the second jaw andcoupled to the second handle, the first jaw moving between a closedposition and an opened position as the first handle moves between aclosed position and an opened position, the second jaw moving between aclosed position and an opened position as the second handle movesbetween a closed position and an opened position, the first jaw and themounting block defining a first post-receiving cavity and the second jawand the mounting block defining a second post-receiving cavity;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the coupler showing the firstand second jaws moved to their respective closed positions in responseto the first and second handles moving to their respective closedpositions;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 3 showing thesecond jaw moved to the opened position in response to the second handlemoving to the opened position and the first jaw and the first handleremaining in their respective closed positions;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 showingthe upwardly-extending second post of the arm system clamped between themounting block and the second jaw in response to the second handlemoving to the closed position to allow the arm system to carry theequipment support;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view along a line 6-6 in FIG. 2 showing alock having first and second sliders disposed in their respectiveretracted latching positions;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the first andsecond sliders slider moved to their respective extended unlatchingpositions;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bed mount showing the bed mountincluding a mounting bracket coupled to a corner bracket of the hospitalbed, an arm having a proximal end coupled to the mounting bracket forpivoting movement about a first pivot axis, and the upwardly-extendingfirst post coupled to a distal end of the arm for pivoting movementabout a second pivot axis;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 8, of an arm mount showingthe arm mount including a mounting bracket coupled to an accessory railof a service head extending downwardly from a telescoping radial arm ofthe arm system, a first arm having a proximal end coupled to themounting bracket for pivoting movement about a first pivot axis, asecond arm having a proximal end coupled to a distal end of the firstarm for pivoting movement about a second pivot axis, and theupwardly-extending post coupled to a distal end of the second arm forpivoting movement about a third pivot axis;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cart showing the cart including abase supported on wheels and a telescoping column extending upwardlyfrom the base;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the couplershown in FIGS. 1-7 showing a mounting block configured to be coupled toan equipment supporting portion, a first clamp having a first jaw and afirst handle coupled to a first side of the mounting block, a secondclamp having a second jaw and a second handle coupled to a second sideof the mounting block, a latch coupled to a front side of the mountingblock for side-to-side movement, the first jaw moving between a closedposition and an opened position as the first handle moves between aclosed position and an opened position, the second jaw moving between aclosed position and an opened position as the second handle movesbetween a closed position and an opened position, the first jaw, thefirst handle, the second jaw, and the second handle being shown in theirrespective closed positions;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 11 showing the latch movedto the second side of the mounting block to lock the second handle inits closed position and to unlock the first handle to allow it to movebetween its closed and opened positions;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 12 showing the first jawmoving to its opened position in response to the first handle moving toits opened position;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view along a line 14-14 in FIG. 11 showinga locking pin that is retracted from an opening in the first handle tounlock the first handle to allow it to move between its closed andopened positions and that is extended into an opening in the secondhandle to lock the second handle in its closed position in response tothe latch moving to the second side of the mounting block;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the coupler of FIGS. 11-14 showing afirst post-receiving cavity defined by the first jaw and the mountingblock;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view a patient care equipment management systemcomprising an equipment support that can be transferred from a hospitalbed having a first clamp to an arm system having a second clamp to awheeled cart having a third clamp, and showing the first clamp of thehospital bed clamping a downwardly-extending post of the equipmentsupport and further showing the wheeled cart having the third clamppositioned next to the hospital bed;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the third clamp of the cartshowing a movable jaw of the third clamp moved to an opened position inresponse to a handle moving to an opened position;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 16 showing thedownwardly-extending post of the equipment support received in apost-receiving cavity defined by the movable jaw of the third clamp ofthe cart;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 18 showing the third clampof the wheeled cart clamping the downwardly-extending post of theequipment support and showing the cart moving away from the bed with thecart carrying the equipment support;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the arm system showing a first radialarm having a proximal end pivotally coupled to a ceiling structure, asecond radial arm having a proximal end pivotally coupled to a distalend of the first radial arm, a downwardly-extending service headpivotally coupled to a distal end of the second radial arm, an armextending outwardly from the service head, and a second clamp coupled toa distal end of the arm and clamping the downwardly-extending post ofthe equipment support;

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the clamp of FIGS.16-19 showing the movable jaw moved to a closed position in response toa handle moving to a closed position;

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view similar to FIG. 21showing the movable jaw moved to an opened position in response to ahandle moving to an opened position;

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing a second embodimentof the patient care equipment management system shown in FIGS. 16-22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing a third embodiment ofthe patient care equipment management system shown in FIGS. 16-22; and

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an equipment support 20 having an equipment supportingportion 22 configured to support patient care equipment 24 (FIG. 16) anda coupler 26 coupled to equipment supporting portion 22. The equipmentsupport 20 has a left or first side 30, a right or second side 32, afront or third side 34, and a rear or fourth side 36. As explainedbelow, the equipment support 20 is directly transferable from a firstdevice, such as a hospital bed 50 (FIG. 16) having an upwardly-extendingfirst post 52 (FIG. 8), to a second device, such as an arm system 54(FIG. 20) having an upwardly-extending second post 56 (FIG. 9), to athird device, such as a wheeled cart 58 (FIG. 10) having anupwardly-extending third post 60 (FIG. 10), and back to the hospital bed50 having the upwardly-extending first post 52, in any order. Forexample, the equipment support 20 may be transferred from the bed 50 tothe arm system 54 to the cart 58 and back to the bed 50 or from the bed50 to the cart 58 to the arm system 54 and back to the bed 50.

It should be understood that although, in the illustrated embodiment,the equipment support 20 is supported by the bed 50, the arm system 54,and the wheeled cart 58, the equipment support 20 may very well besupported by other devices, such as a stretcher, a surgical table, awheel chair, a wheeled stand, and the like, that have upwardly-extendingposts. In the illustrated embodiment, the three upwardly-extending posts52, 56, 60 are each circular in cross section and have substantially thesame diameters. In other embodiments, however, the upwardly-extendingposts 52, 56, 60 have non-circular cross sections and/or differentdiameters. It will be appreciated that such hospital beds and armsystems are well known and need not be discussed in detail herein. Forexample, the bed 50 may be of the type marketed by Hill-Rom asTotalCare™ hospital bed and the arm system 54 may be of the typemarketed by Hill-Rom as Latitude™ Arm System.

As used in this description, the phrase “left or first side 30” will beused to denote the side of any referred-to object that is positioned tolie nearest the left or first side 30 of the equipment support 20, andthe phrase “right or second side 32” will be used to denote the side ofany referred-to object that is positioned to lie nearest the right orsecond side 32 of the equipment support 20. Likewise, the phrase “frontor third side 34” will be used to denote the side of any referred-toobject that is positioned to lie nearest the front or third side 34 ofthe equipment support 20, and the phrase “rear or fourth side 36” willbe used to denote the side of any referred-to object that is positionedto lie nearest the rear or fourth side 36 of the equipment support 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the equipment supporting portion 22 includes anupper cross bar 66, a lower cross bar 68, and a pair of telescopingouter posts 70, 72 extending between the upper and lower cross bars 66,68 adjacent the opposite sides 30, 32 thereof. A central post 74 extendsbetween the upper and lower cross bars 66, 68 between the two outerposts 70, 72. Each outer post 70, 72 has an outer tube 76 and an innertube 78 that telescopes into and out of the outer tube 76. Each outerpost 70, 72 includes a lock 80 that is movable between a releasingposition allowing the inner tube 78 to telescope into and out of theouter tube 76 and a locking position blocking the inner tube 78 fromtelescoping relative to the outer tube 76. Each outer post 70, 72includes a plurality of IV bag hooks 82 coupled to an upper end of theassociated inner tube 78. A pair of handles 90, 92 are coupled to thelower cross bar 68 via respective handle bars 94, 96 that extendforwardly from the lower cross bar 68 adjacent the outer posts 70, 72.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the coupler 26 includes a mounting block 100coupled to a lower portion 102 of the central post 74 that extends belowthe lower cross bar 68. The mounting block 100 has a central bore 104.The lower portion 102 of the post 74 is received in the bore 104 forpivoting movement about a vertical axis 106 to allow the equipmentsupporting portion 22 to rotate relative to the mounting block 100. Therotatable mounting of the equipment supporting portion 22 improvesaccess to the patient care equipment 24 carried by the equipment support20. Bushings 108 are interposed between the lower portion 102 of thepost 74 and the mounting block 100 to facilitate pivoting movement ofthe post 74 relative to the mounting block 100. The coupler 26 furtherincludes first and second clamps 110, 112 coupled to the mounting block100 on the first and second sides 30, 32 thereof.

The first clamp 110 clamps the first post 52 of the bed 50 when theequipment support 20 is carried by the bed 50 (FIG. 8). The equipmentsupport 20 is transferred from the bed 50 to the arm system 54 when thesecond clamp 112 clamps the second post 56 of the arm system 54 (FIG. 9)and the first clamp 110 releases the first post 52 of the bed 50 toallow the arm system 54 to move away from the bed 50 with the arm system54 carrying the equipment support 20 (or to allow the bed 50 to moveaway from the arm system 54 with the arm system 54 carrying theequipment support 20). The equipment support 20 is transferred from thearm system 54 to the cart 58 when the first clamp 110 clamps the thirdpost 60 of the cart 58 (FIG. 10) and the second clamp 112 releases thesecond post 56 of the arm system 54 to allow the cart 58 to move awayfrom the arm system 54 with the cart 58 carrying the equipment support20 (or to allow the arm system 54 to move away from the cart 58 with thecart 58 carrying the equipment support 20). The equipment support 20 istransferred from the cart 58 back to the bed 50 when the second clamp112 clamps the first post 52 of the bed 50 and the first clamp 110releases the third post 60 of the cart 58 to allow the cart 58 to moveaway from the bed 50 with the bed 50 carrying the equipment support 20(or to allow the bed 50 to move away from the cart 58 with the bed 50carrying the equipment support 20).

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the first clamp 110 includes a first jaw 120 anda first handle 130 coupled to the first side 30 of the mounting block100 and a first link 140 coupled to the first jaw 120 and coupled to thefirst handle 130. The mounting block 100, the first jaw 120, the firsthandle 130, and the first link 140 form a first 4-bar linkage. Thesecond clamp 112 includes a second jaw 122 and a second handle 132coupled to the second side 32 of the mounting block 100 and a secondlink 142 coupled to the second jaw 122 and coupled to the second handle132. The mounting block 100, the second jaw 122, the second handle 132,and the second link 142 form a second 4-bar linkage. The first jaw 120moves between a closed position (FIG. 3) and an opened position (shownin FIG. 4 with respect to the second jaw 122) as the first handle 122moves between a closed position (FIG. 3) and an opened position (shownin FIG. 4 with respect to the second handle 132). The second jaw 122moves between a closed position (FIG. 3) and an opened position (FIG. 4)as the second handle 132 moves between a closed position (FIG. 3) and anopened position (FIG. 4). The first jaw 120 and the first side 30 of themounting block 100 define a first post-receiving cavity 180. The secondjaw 122 and the second side 32 of the mounting block 100 define a secondpost-receiving cavity 182.

In the illustrated embodiment, the two clamps 110, 112 are generallymirror images of each other. Each post-receiving cavity 180, 182 isconfigured to receive any of the three posts 52, 56, 60 of the bed 50,the arm system 54 and the cart 58, shown in FIGS. 8-10 respectively.Thus, the first post 52 of the bed 50 may be clamped in the firstpost-receiving cavity 180 or the second post-receiving cavity 182.Likewise, the second post 56 of the arm system 54 may be clamped in thefirst post-receiving cavity 180 or the second post-receiving cavity 182and the third post 60 of the cart 58 may be clamped in the firstpost-receiving cavity 180 or the second post-receiving cavity 182.

The first jaw 120 is coupled to the first side 30 of the mounting block100 for pivoting movement about a first pivot pin 150. The first handle130 is coupled to the first side 30 of the mounting block 100 forpivoting movement about a second pivot pin 152. The first link 140 has afirst end 170 coupled to the first jaw 120 for pivoting movement about athird pivot pin 154. The first link 140 has a second end 171 coupled tothe first handle 130 for pivoting movement about a fourth pivot pin 156.The second jaw 122 is coupled to the second side 32 of the mountingblock 100 for pivoting movement about a fifth pivot pin 160. The secondhandle 132 is coupled to the second side 32 of the mounting block 100for pivoting movement about a sixth pivot pin 162. The second link 142has a first end 172 coupled to the second jaw 122 for pivoting movementabout a seventh pivot pin 164. The second link 142 has a second end 173coupled to the second handle 132 for pivoting movement about an eighthpivot pin 166. The pivot pins 150, 152, 154, 156, 160, 162, 164, 166 areprevented from falling off by cover plates 228 secured to top and bottomsurfaces 230, 232 of the mounting block 100. The lower portion 102 ofthe central post 74 extends through slightly-oversized openings 229 inthe cover plates 228. In some embodiments, however, the upper and lowerends of the pivot pins 150, 152, 154, 156, 160, 162, 164, 166 havecircumferential grooves for receiving respective C-washers to retain thepivot pins 150, 152, 154, 156, 160, 162, 164, 166 in place.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, each handle 130, 132comprises a handle grip 200 and a handle mount 202. A caregiver graspsthe handle grip 200 of the handle 130, 132 to move the handle 130, 132between its closed and opened positions. The handle mount 202 couplesthe associated handle 130, 132 to the mounting block 100 as shown inFIGS. 2-4. The handle grips 200 are secured to the associated handlemounts 202 by any suitable means, such as screws (not shown) that extendthrough slightly oversized openings 204 (FIG. 2) in the handle grips 200and screwed into threaded openings 206 (FIG. 2) in the associated handlemounts 202. In other embodiments, the handle grips 200 are integrallyformed with the handle mounts 202.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting block 100 is formed to include a pairof spaced-apart lugs 210, 212 that extend generally horizontallyoutwardly from the first side 30 of the mounting block 100. The firstjaw 120 is formed to include a pair of spaced-apart lugs 214, 216 thatextend generally horizontally outwardly from the second side 32 of thefirst jaw 120. The spaced-apart lugs 210, 212 of the mounting block 100define a cavity 218 in which the lugs 214, 216 of the first jaw 120 arereceived for pivoting movement. The vertical spacing between the innersurfaces of the lugs 210, 212 of the mounting block 100 is slightlylarger than the vertical spacing between the outer surfaces of the lugs214, 216 of the first jaw 120. As used in this description, the phrase“inner surfaces” will be used to denote downwardly and upwardly-facinginner surfaces of any referred-to object. Likewise, the phrase “outersurfaces” will be used to denote upwardly and downwardly-facing outersurfaces of any referred-to object. The first pivot pin 150 extendsthrough an opening 220 in the upper lug 210 of the mounting block 100,extends through openings 224, 226 in the lugs 214, 216 of the first jaw120, and then extends through an opening 220 in the lower lug 212 of themounting block 100.

The handle mount 202 of the first handle 130 is formed to include a pairof spaced-apart lugs 240, 242 that extend generally horizontallyoutwardly from the second side 32 of the first handle 130. The mountingblock 100 is formed to include a lug 244 that extends generallyhorizontally outwardly from the first side 30 of the mounting block 100.The lugs 240, 242 of the first handle 130 define a cavity 246 in whichthe lug 244 of the mounting block 100 is received for pivoting movement.The vertical spacing between the inner surfaces of the lugs 240, 242 ofthe first handle 130 is slightly larger than the vertical spacingbetween the outer surfaces of the lug 244 of the mounting block 100. Thesecond pivot pin 152 extends through an opening 250 in the upper lug 240of the first handle 130, extends through opening 254 in the lug 244 ofthe mounting block 100, and then extends through an opening 252 in thelower lug 242 of the first handle 130.

The first jaw 120 is formed to include a pair of spaced-apart lugs 260,262 that extend generally horizontally outwardly from the first side 30of the first jaw 120. The first link 140 is formed to include a pair ofspaced-apart lugs (similar to lugs 364, 366 of the second link 142) thatextend generally horizontally outwardly from the first end 170 of thefirst link 140. The spaced-apart lugs 260, 262 of the first jaw 120define a cavity 268 in which the lugs of the first link 140 are receivedfor pivoting movement. The vertical spacing between the inner surfacesof the lugs 260, 262 of the first jaw 120 is slightly larger than thevertical spacing between the outer surfaces of the lugs of the firstlink 140 (similar to lugs 364, 366 of the second link 142). The thirdpivot pin 154 extends through an opening 270 in the upper lug 260 of thefirst jaw 120, extends through openings 274 in the lugs of the firstlink 140, and then extends through an opening 272 in the lower lug 262of the first jaw 120.

The second end 171 of the first link 140 is received in the cavity 246defined by the spaced-apart lugs 240, 242 of the first handle 130 forpivoting movement. The vertical spacing between the inner surfaces ofthe lugs 240, 242 of the first handle 130 is slightly larger than thevertical spacing between the outer surfaces of the first link 140. Thefourth pivot pin 156 extends through an opening 280 in the upper lug 240of the first handle 130, extends through opening 284 in the first link140, and then extends through an opening in the lower lug 242 of thefirst handle 130 (similar to the opening 382 in the lower lug 342 of thesecond handle 132).

As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting block 100 is formed to include a pairof spaced-apart lugs (similar to the spaced-apart lugs 210, 212 on thefirst side 30 of the mounting block 100) that extend generallyhorizontally outwardly from the second side 32 of the mounting block100. The second jaw 122 is formed to include a pair of spaced-apart lugs314, 316 that extend generally horizontally outwardly from the firstside 30 of the second jaw 120. The spaced-apart lugs of the mountingblock 100 (similar to the spaced-apart lugs 210, 212 of the mountingblock 100) define a cavity (similar to the cavity 218 defined by thespaced-apart lugs 210, 212 of the mounting block 100) in which the lugs314, 316 of the second jaw 122 are received for pivoting movement. Thevertical spacing between the inner surfaces of the lugs of the mountingblock 100 (similar to the lugs 210, 212 of the mounting block 100) isslightly larger than the vertical spacing between the outer surfaces ofthe lugs 314, 316 of the second jaw 122. The fifth pivot pin 160 extendsthrough an opening 320 in the upper lug on the second side 32 of themounting block 100 (similar to the upper lug 210 on the first side 30 ofthe mounting block 100), extends through openings 324, 326 in the lugs314, 316 of the second jaw 122, and then extends through an opening 320in the lower lug of the mounting block 100 (similar to the lower lug 212of the mounting block 100).

The handle mount 202 of the second handle 132 is formed to include apair of spaced-apart lugs 340, 342 that extend generally horizontallyoutwardly from the first side 30 of the second handle 132. The mountingblock 100 is formed to include a lug 344 that extends generallyhorizontally outwardly from the second side 32 of the mounting block100. The lugs 340, 342 of the second handle 132 define a cavity 346 inwhich the lug 344 of the mounting block 100 is received for pivotingmovement. The vertical spacing between the inner surfaces of the lugs340, 342 of the second handle 132 is slightly larger than the verticalspacing between the outer surfaces of the lug 344 of the mounting block100. The sixth pivot pin 162 extends through an opening 350 in the upperlug 340 of the second handle 132, extends through opening 354 in the lug344 of the mounting block 100, and then extends through an opening 352in the lower lug 342 of the second handle 132.

The second jaw 122 is formed to include a pair of spaced-apart lugs 360that extend generally horizontally outwardly from the second side 32 ofthe second jaw 122 (similar to the spaced-apart lugs 260, 262 on thefirst side 30 of the first jaw 120). The second link 142 is formed toinclude a pair of spaced-apart lugs 364, 366 that extend generallyhorizontally outwardly from the first end 172 of the second link 142.The spaced-apart lugs 360 of the second jaw 122 define a cavity (similarto the cavity 268 defined by the spaced-apart lugs 260, 262 on the firstside 30 of the first jaw 120) in which the lugs 364, 366 of the secondlink 142 are received for pivoting movement. The vertical spacingbetween the inner surfaces of the lugs 360 of the second jaw 122 isslightly larger than the vertical spacing between the outer surfaces ofthe lugs 364, 366 of the second link 142. The seventh pivot pin 164extends through an opening 370 in the upper lug 360 of the second jaw122, extends through openings 374 in the lugs 364, 366 of the secondlink 142, and then extends through an opening in the lower lug 362 ofthe second jaw 122 (similar to the opening 272 in the lower lug 262 ofthe first jaw 120).

The second end 173 of the second link 142 is received in the cavity 346defined by the spaced-apart lugs 340, 342 of the handle mount 202 of ofthe second handle 132 for pivoting movement. The vertical spacingbetween the inner surfaces of the lugs 340, 342 of the second handle 132is slightly larger than the vertical spacing between the outer surfacesof the second link 142. The eighth pivot pin 166 extends through anopening 380 in the upper lug 340 of the second handle 132, extendsthrough opening 384 in the second link 142, and then extends through anopening 382 in the lower lug 342 of the second handle 132.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7, the coupler 26 includes a lock 400 comprisingfirst and second sliders 402, 404. The lock 400 is configured such thatin case only one of the three posts 52, 56, 60 is received in any one ofthe two post-receiving cavities 180, 182 and the associated handle 130,132 is moved to the closed position, said one of the three posts 52, 56,60 is locked to the equipment support coupler 26, and such that in caseany two of the three posts 52 and 56, or 52 and 60, or 56 and 60 arereceived in the two post-receiving cavities 180, 182, both of thehandles 130, 132 are unlocked so that respective engagements of said twoposts 52 and 56, or 52 and 60, or 56 and 60 and the equipment supportcoupler 26 are releasable.

The first and second sliders 402, 404 are located in alaterally-extending recess 406 (FIGS. 3-4 and 6-7) defined by thespaced-apart lugs 210, 212 on the first side 30 of the mounting block100, the spaced-apart lugs 310, 312 on the second side 32 of themounting block 100, the spaced-apart lugs 214, 216 of the first jaw 120,the spaced-apart lugs 314, 316 of the second jaw 122, the spaced-apartlugs 264, 266 of the first link 140, and the spaced-apart lugs 364, 366of the second link 142. As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the first slider 402 hasa first tab 410, a first hook 412, and two laterally-extending slots414, 416. The second slider 404 has a second tab 420, a second hook 422,and two laterally-extending slots 424, 426. As shown in FIGS. 6-7, thefirst and fifth pivot pins 150, 160 extend through the slots 414, 416 inthe first slider 402 and the slots 424, 426 in the second slider 404 sothat the two sliders 402, 404 can move laterally side-to-side. Eachslider 402, 402 is movable between a retracted latching position (FIG.6) and an extended unlatching position (FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 6, aspring 408 is situated in the recess 406 in the mounting block 100 in astate of compression between inwardly-facing edges 411, 421 of the twotabs 410, 420 of the sliders 402, 404 to bias the sliders 402, 404toward their respective retracted latching positions as shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the first slider 402 is in its retractedlatching position, the first tab 410 of the first slider 402 projectsinto the second post-receiving cavity 182 and the first hook 412 of thefirst slider 402 engages the third pivot pin 154 to lock the firsthandle 130 in its closed position, thereby locking the first jaw 120 inits closed position. As shown in FIG. 6, when the second slider 404 isin its retracted latching position, the second tab 420 of the secondslider 404 projects into the first post-receiving cavity 180 and thesecond hook 422 of the second slider 404 engages the seventh pivot pin164 to lock the second handle 132 in its closed position, therebylocking the second jaw 122 in its closed position.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the first slider 402 is in its extendedunlatching position, the first tab 410 of the first slider 402 is pushedout of the second post-receiving cavity 182 and the first hook 412 ofthe first slider 402 disengages from the third pivot pin 154 to unlockthe first handle 130 to allow it to move between its closed and openedpositions. As shown in FIG. 7, when the second slider 404 is in itsextended unlatching position, the second tab 420 of the second slider404 is pushed out of the first post-receiving cavity 180 and the secondhook 422 of the second slider 404 disengages from the seventh pivot pin164 to unlock the second handle 132 to allow it to move between itsclosed and opened positions.

When the equipment support 20 is carried by the bed 50, the first handle130 and the first jaw 120 are in their respective closed positions toclamp the first post 52 in the first post-receiving cavity 180. When thefirst post 52 is received in the first post-receiving cavity 180, thefirst post 52 pushes the second tab 420 out of the first post-receivingcavity 180 to shift the second slider 404 toward its extended unlatchingposition, against the bias of the spring 408, to disengage the secondhook 422 from engagement with the seventh pivot pin 164 to unlock thesecond handle 132 to allow it move between its closed and openedpositions. The spring 408, however, keeps the first slider 402 in itsretracted latching position to lock the first handle 130 in its closedposition to prevent a caregiver from inadvertently moving the firsthandle 130 to its opened position, which may cause the equipment support20 to fall off the bed 50. Thus, at this point, the first handle 130 islocked and the second handle 132 is unlocked.

To transfer the equipment support 20 from the bed 50 to the arm system54, the second handle 132, which is unlocked, is moved to its openedposition (FIG. 4) to open the second jaw 122 and the second post 56 ofthe arm system 54 is received in the second post-receiving cavity 182.The second post 56 of the arm system 54 is then clamped between thesecond jaw 122 and the mounting block 100 by moving the second handle132, which is unlocked, to its closed position (FIG. 5). When the secondpost 56 is received in the second post-receiving cavity 182, the secondpost 56 pushes the first tab 410 out of the second post-receiving cavity182 to shift the first slider 402 toward its extended unlatchingposition, against the bias of the spring 408, to disengage the firsthook 412 from engagement with the third pivot pin 154 to unlock thefirst handle 130 to allow it to move between its closed and openedpositions. Thus, at this point, both the first and second handles 130,132 are unlocked.

The first handle 130, which is now unlocked, is then moved to the openedposition to open the first jaw 120 to release the first post 52 of thebed 50 to allow the arm system 54 to move away from the bed 50 with thearm system 54 carrying the equipment support 20 (or to allow the bed 50to move away from the arm system 54 with the arm system 54 carrying theequipment support 20). When the first post 52 of the bed 50 leaves thefirst post-receiving cavity 180, the spring 408 pushes the second slider402 back toward its retracted latching position to lock the secondhandle 132 in its closed position to prevent a caregiver frominadvertently moving the second handle 132 to its opened position, whichmay cause the equipment support 20 to fall off the arm system 54. Thefirst handle 130, which is unlocked, is then moved to the closedposition to close the first jaw 120. Thus, at this point, the firsthandle 130 is unlocked and the second handle 132 is locked.

To transfer the equipment support 20 from the arm system 54 to the cart58, the first handle 130, which is unlocked, is moved to the openedposition to open the first jaw 120 and the third post 60 of the cart 58is received in the first post-receiving cavity 180. The third post 60 ofthe cart 58 is then clamped between the first jaw 120 and the mountingblock 100 by moving the first handle 130 to its closed position. Whenthe third post 60 is received in the first post-receiving cavity 180,the third post 60 pushes the second tab 410 out of the firstpost-receiving cavity 180 to shift the second slider 404 toward itsextended unlatching position, against the bias of the spring 408, todisengage the second hook 422 from engagement with the seventh pivot pin164 to unlock the second handle 132 to allow it to move between itsclosed and opened positions. Thus, at this point, both the first andsecond handles 130, 132 are unlocked.

The second handle 132, which is unlocked, is then moved to the openedposition to open the second jaw 122 to release the second post 56 of thearm system 54 to allow the cart 58 to move away from the arm system 54with the cart 58 carrying the equipment support 20 (or to allow the armsystem 54 to move away from the cart 58 with the cart 58 carrying theequipment support 20). When the second post 56 of the arm system 54leaves the second post-receiving cavity 182, the spring 408 pushes thefirst slider 402 back toward its retracted latching position to lock thefirst handle 130 in its closed position to prevent a caregiver frominadvertently moving the first handle 130 to its opened position, whichmay cause the equipment support 20 to fall off the cart 58. The secondhandle 132, which is unlocked, is then moved to the closed position toclose the second jaw 122. Thus, at this point, the first handle 130 islocked and the second handle 132 is unlocked.

To transfer the equipment support 20 from the cart 58 to the bed 50, thesecond handle 132, which is unlocked, is moved to the releasing positionto open the second jaw 122 and the first post 52 of the bed 50 isreceived in the second post-receiving cavity 182. The first post 52 ofthe bed 50 is then clamped between the second jaw 122 and the mountingblock 100 by moving the second handle 132 to its closed position. Whenthe first post 52 is received in the second post-receiving cavity 182,the first post 52 pushes the first tab 410 out of the secondpost-receiving cavity 182 to shift the first slider 402 toward itsextended unlatching position, against the bias of the spring 408, todisengage the first hook 412 from engagement with the third pivot pin154 to unlock the first handle 130 to allow it to move between itsclosed and opened positions. Thus, at this point, both the first andsecond handles 130, 132 are unlocked.

The first handle 130, which is now unlocked, is then moved to thereleasing position to open the first jaw 120 to release the third post60 of the cart 58 to allow the cart 58 to move away from the bed 50 withthe bed 50 carrying the equipment support 20 (or to allow the bed 50 tomove away from the cart 58 with the bed 50 carrying the equipmentsupport 20). When the third post 60 of the cart 58 leaves the firstpost-receiving cavity 180, the spring 408 pushes the second slider 402back toward its retracted latching position to lock the second handle132 in its closed position to prevent a caregiver from inadvertentlymoving the second handle 132 to its opened position, which may cause theequipment support 20 to fall off the bed 50. The first handle 130, whichis unlocked, is then moved to the closed position to close the first jaw120. At this point, the first handle 130 is unlocked and the secondhandle 132 is locked. Thus, the equipment support 20 is directlytransferable from the bed 50 to the arm system 54 to the cart 58 andback to the bed 50, in any order.

As shown in FIG. 8, a bed mount 450 includes a mounting bracket 452 thatis coupled to a corner bracket 866 (FIG. 16) of the hospital bed 50 bysuitable fasteners, such as, for example, nut and bolt combinations 454.An arm 456 has a proximal end 458 coupled to the mounting bracket 452for pivoting movement about a first pivot axis 460. Theupwardly-extending first post 52 is coupled to a distal end 462 of thearm 456 for pivoting movement about a second pivot axis 464.

As shown in FIG. 9, an arm mount 500 includes a mounting bracket 502coupled to a service head 916 (FIG. 20) extending downwardly from aradial arm 908 of the arm system 54. A first arm 504 has a proximal end506 coupled to the mounting bracket 502 for pivoting movement about afirst pivot axis 508. A second arm 510 has a proximal end 512 coupled toa distal end 514 of the first arm 504 for pivoting movement about asecond pivot axis 516. The upwardly-extending post 56 is coupled to adistal end 518 of the second arm 510 for pivoting movement about a thirdpivot axis 520.

As shown in FIG. 10, a cart 58 includes a wheeled base 550 and atelescoping column 552 extending upwardly from the base 550. The base550 has a central hub 554 and five spokes 556 radiating substantiallyhorizontally outwardly from the central hub 554. Casters 558 are coupledto distal ends of the spokes 556. In the illustrated embodiment, thecolumn 552 includes an outer tube 560 extending upwardly from thecentral hub 554 and an inner tube 562 that telescopes into and out ofthe outer tube 560. The inner tube 562 comprises the thirdupwardly-extending post 60 of the cart 58. In the illustratedembodiment, a manually operable locking mechanism, such as a gas spring(not shown), is located inside the outer tube 560 to releasably securethe inner tube 562 in a selected vertical position relative to the outertube 560. A release pedal 564 extends outwardly from the base 550 and isoperable to unlock the gas spring. Bearings (not shown) may be providedto facilitate telescoping movement of the inner tube 562 relative to theouter tube 560.

FIGS. 11-15 show a second embodiment 626 of the coupler 26 shown inFIGS. 1-7. The coupler 626 includes a mounting block 600 that, in theillustrated embodiment, has a bore 602 in which the lower portion 102 ofthe central post 74 is received for pivoting movement about the pivotaxis 106 to allow the equipment supporting portion 22 to rotate relativeto the mounting block 600 for improved access. The coupler 626 furtherincludes first and second clamps 610, 612 coupled to the mounting block600 on first and second sides 630, 632 thereof. As shown in FIGS. 11-15,the first clamp 610 includes a first jaw 650 and a first handle 660coupled to the first side 630 of the mounting block 600 and a first cam670 coupled to the first handle 660 and coupled to the first jaw 650.The second clamp 612 includes a second jaw 652 and a second handle 662coupled to the second side 632 of the mounting block 600 and a secondcam 672 coupled to the second handle 662 and coupled to the second jaw652. In the illustrated embodiment, each cam 670, 672 is integrallyformed with the associated handle 660, 662 (as shown, for example, inFIG. 15 with respect to the first cam 670 and the first handle 660).

The first jaw 650 moves between a closed position (FIGS. 11-12) and anopened position (FIG. 13) as the first handle 660 moves between a closedposition (FIGS. 11-12) and an opened position (FIG. 13). The second jaw652 moves between a closed position (FIGS. 11-12) and an opened position(shown in FIG. 13 with respect to the first jaw 650) as the secondhandle 662 moves between a closed position (FIGS. 11-12) and an openedposition (shown in FIG. 13 with respect to the first handle 660). Thefirst jaw 650 and the first side 630 of the mounting block 600 define afirst post-receiving cavity 680. The second jaw 652 and the second side632 of the mounting block 600 define a second post-receiving cavity 682.

In the illustrated embodiment, like the clamps 110, 112 of the coupler26, the two clamps 610, 612 are generally mirror images of each other.Each post-receiving cavity 680, 682 is configured to receive any of thethree posts 52, 56, 60 of the bed 50, the arm system 54 and the cart 58,respectively. Thus, the first post 52 of the bed 50 may be clamped inthe first post-receiving cavity 680 or the second post-receiving cavity682. Likewise, the second post 56 of the arm system 54 may be clamped inthe first post-receiving cavity 680 or the second post-receiving cavity682 and the third post 60 of the cart 58 may be clamped in the firstpost-receiving cavity 680 or the second post-receiving cavity 682. Theoperation of the coupler 626 is generally similar to the operation ofthe coupler 26.

The first jaw 650 is coupled to the first side 630 of the mounting block600 for pivoting movement about a generally vertically-extending firstpivot pin 690. The first handle 660 is coupled to the first side 630 ofthe mounting block 600 for pivoting movement about a generallyhorizontally-extending second pivot pin 692. The second jaw 652 iscoupled to the second side 632 of the mounting block 600 for pivotingmovement about a generally vertically-extending first pivot pin 700. Thesecond handle 662 is coupled to the second side 632 of the mountingblock 600 for pivoting movement about a generally horizontally-extendingsecond pivot pin 702. In some embodiments, the ends of the pivot pins690, 692, 700, 702 have circumferential grooves for receiving respectiveC-washers (not shown) to retain the pivot pins 690, 692, 700, 702 inplace.

The first and second jaws 650, 652 are spring biased toward theirrespective opened positions with a compression spring (not shown) tobias contoured outer surfaces 710 (FIG. 15) of the first and second jaws650, 652 in engagement with contoured outer surfaces 712 (FIG. 15) ofthe first and second cams 670, 672. As each handle 660, 662 is rotatedapproximately 90 degrees in a direction 714 (FIG. 15) from its openedposition (shown in FIG. 13 with respect to the first handle 660) to itsclosed position (FIGS. 11-12), the rearwardly-facing contoured outersurface 712 of the associated cam 670, 672 presses against theforwardly-facing contoured outer surface 710 of the associated jaw 650,652 to move the associated jaw 650, 652 toward its closed position.Rotation of said handle 660, 662 approximately 90 degrees in an oppositedirection 716 (FIG. 15) rotates the associated cam 670, 672 therewithand the biasing spring causes the associated jaw 650, 652 to move fromits closed position to its opened position. Thus, each jaw 650, 652moves between a closed position (FIGS. 11-12) and an opened position(shown in FIG. 13 with respect to the first jaw 650) as the associatedhandle 660, 662 moves between a closed position (FIGS. 11-12) and anopened position (shown in FIG. 13 with respect to the first handle 660).

As shown in FIGS. 11-15, the coupler 626 includes a latch 720 coupled toa front side 634 of the mounting block 600 for side-to-side lateralmovement as indicated by a double-headed arrow 722. As shown in FIG. 14,the latch 720 comprises a finger grip 724, a connecting link 726 thatextends rearwardly from the finger grip 724 and that has a proximal end728 coupled to the finger grip 724 and a laterally-extending locking pin730 (FIG. 14) coupled to a distal end 732 of the connecting link 726.The connecting link 726 is located in a longitudinally-extending slot734 in the mounting block 600. The locking pin 730 is located in alaterally-extending slot 736 in the mounting block 600. Thelongitudinally-extending slot 734 opens at a front surface of themounting block 600 and opens into the laterally-extending slot 736. Thelaterally-extending slot 736 opens at side surfaces of the mountingblock 600.

When the finger grip 724 is centered with respect to the mounting block600 and both handles 660, 662 are in their respective closed positions,a first portion 740 of the locking pin 730 on the first side 630 of themounting block 600 is received in a first opening 750 (FIG. 15) in thefirst handle 660 to lock the first handle 660 in its closed position anda second portion 742 of the locking pin 730 on the second side 632 ofthe mounting block 600 is received in a second opening 752 in the secondhandle 662 to lock the second handle 662 in its closed position.

When the finger grip 724 is moved to the first side 630 while the firsthandle 660 is in its closed position, the first portion 740 (FIG. 14) ofthe locking pin 730 extends further into the first opening 750 (FIG. 15)in the first handle 660 to keep the first handle 660 locked in itsclosed position and the second portion 742 (FIG. 14) of the locking pin730 is retracted completely out of the second opening 752 (FIG. 11) inthe second handle 662 to unlock the second handle 662 to allow it tomove between its closed and opened positions. Likewise, when the fingergrip 724 is moved to the second side 632 while the second handle 662 isin its closed position as shown in FIG. 12-14, the second portion 742(FIG. 14) of the locking pin 730 extends further into the second opening752 (FIG. 11) in the second handle 662 to keep the second handle 662locked in its closed position and the first portion 740 (FIG. 14) of thelocking pin 730 is retracted completely out of the first opening 750(FIG. 15) in the first handle 660 to unlock the first handle 660 toallow it to move between its closed and opened positions.

Thus, the latch 720 is movable to the first side 630 when the firsthandle 660 is in its closed position to lock the first jaw 650 and thefirst handle 660 in their respective closed positions and to unlock thesecond handle 662 to allow it to move between its closed and openedpositions. Likewise, the latch 720 is movable to the second side 632when the second handle 662 is in its closed position to lock the secondjaw 652 and the second handle 662 in their respective closed positionsand to unlock the first handle 660 to allow it to move between itsclosed and opened positions. However, the latch 720 is not be movable tothe first side 630 when the first handle 630 is in the opened positionand the latch 720 is not be movable to the second side 632 when thesecond handle 662 is in the opened position. This is because theopenings 750, 752 (shown in FIGS. 15 and 11, respectively) are alignedwith the locking pin 730 only when the handles 660, 662 are in theirrespective closed positions.

The operation of the coupler 626 is generally similar to the operationof the coupler 26. For the purposes of the following description, itwill be assumed that the coupler 626, instead of the coupler 26 shown inFIGS. 1-8, is coupled to the lower portion 102 of the central post 74 ofthe equipment support 20. When the equipment support 20 is carried bythe bed 50, the first handle 660 and the first jaw 650 are in theirrespective closed positions to clamp the first post 52 in the firstpost-receiving cavity 680. The latch 720 is then moved to the first side630 to lock the first jaw 650 and the first handle 660 in theirrespective closed positions to prevent a caregiver from inadvertentlymoving the first handle 660 to its opened position, which may cause theequipment support 20 to fall off the bed 50. When the latch 720 moves tothe first side 630, the second handle 662 is unlocked. Thus, at thispoint, the first handle 660 is locked and the second handle 662 isunlocked.

To transfer the equipment support 20 from the bed 50 to the arm system54, the second handle 132, which is unlocked, is moved to its openedposition to open the second jaw 652 and the second post 56 of the armsystem 54 is received in the second post-receiving cavity 682. Thesecond post 56 of the arm system 54 is then clamped between the secondjaw 652 and the mounting block 600 by moving the second handle 662,which is unlocked, to its closed position. The latch 720 is then movedto the second side 632 to lock the second jaw 652 and the second handle662 in their respective closed positions to prevent a caregiver frominadvertently moving the second handle 662 to its opened position, whichmay cause the equipment support 20 to fall off the arm system 54. Whenthe latch 720 moves to the second side 632, the first handle 660 isunlocked. Thus, at this point, the first handle 660 is unlocked and thesecond handle 662 is locked.

The first handle 660, which is now unlocked, is then moved to the openedposition to open the first jaw 650 to release the first post 52 of thebed 50 to allow the arm system 54 to move away from the bed 50 with thearm system 54 carrying the equipment support 20 (or to allow the bed 50to move away from the arm system 54 with the arm system 54 carrying theequipment support 20). The first handle 660, which is unlocked, is thenmoved to the closed position to close the first jaw 650. At this point,the first handle 660 is unlocked and the second handle 662 is locked.

To transfer the equipment support 20 from the arm system 54 to the cart58, the first handle 130, which is unlocked, is moved to the openedposition to open the first jaw 650 and the third post 60 of the cart 58is received in the first post-receiving cavity 680. The third post 60 ofthe cart 58 is then clamped between the first jaw 650 and the mountingblock 600 by moving the first handle 660 to its closed position. Thelatch 720 is then moved to the first side 630 to lock the first jaw 650and the first handle 660 in their respective closed positions to preventa caregiver from inadvertently moving the first handle 660 to its openedposition, which may cause the equipment support 20 to fall off the cart58. When the latch 720 moves to the first side 630, the second handle662 is unlocked. Thus, at this point, the first handle 660 is locked andthe second handle 662 is unlocked.

The second handle 662, which is unlocked, is then moved to the openedposition to open the second jaw 652 to release the second post 56 of thearm system 54 to allow the cart 58 to move away from the arm system 54with the cart 58 carrying the equipment support 20 (or to allow the armsystem 54 to move away from the cart 58 with the cart 58 carrying theequipment support 20). The second handle 662, which is unlocked, is thenmoved to the closed position to close the second jaw 652. Thus, at thispoint, the first handle 660 is locked and the second handle 662 isunlocked.

To transfer the equipment support 20 from the cart 58 to the bed 50, thesecond handle 662, which is unlocked, is moved to the releasing positionto open the second jaw 652 and the first post 52 of the bed 50 isreceived in the second post-receiving cavity 682. The first post 52 ofthe bed 50 is then clamped between the second jaw 652 and the mountingblock 600 by moving the second handle 662 to its closed position. Thelatch 720 is then moved to the second side 632 to lock the second jaw652 and the second handle 662 in their respective closed positions toprevent a caregiver from inadvertently moving the second handle 662 toits opened position, which may cause the equipment support 20 to falloff the bed 50. When the latch 720 moves to the second side 632, thefirst handle 660 is unlocked. Thus, at this point, the first handle 660is unlocked and the second handle 662 is locked.

The first handle 660, which is now unlocked, is then moved to thereleasing position to open the first jaw 650 to release the third post60 of the cart 58 to allow the cart 58 to move away from the bed 50 withthe bed 50 carrying the equipment support 20 (or to allow the bed 50 tomove away from the cart 58 with the bed 50 carrying the equipmentsupport 20). The first handle 660, which is unlocked, is then moved tothe closed position to close the first jaw 650. At this point, the firsthandle 660 is unlocked and the second handle 662 is locked. Thus, theequipment support 20 is directly transferable from the bed 50 to the armsystem 54 to the cart 58 and back to the bed 50, in any order.

FIGS. 16-22 show a patient care equipment management system 800comprising an equipment support 820 that can be transferred from a firstdevice, such as a hospital bed 50 (FIG. 16) having a first clamp 802, toa second device, such as ane arm system 54 (FIG. 20) having a secondclamp 806, to a third device, such as a wheeled cart 59 (FIG. 19) havinga third clamp 810, in any order. The equipment support 820 is similar toequipment support 20 shown in FIG. 1, except that a coupler 826 replacesthe coupler 26. The coupler 826 comprises the lower portion 102 of thecentral post 74 of the equipment support 20. A collar 828 is secured tothe lower portion 102 of the central post 74 of the equipment support820 at a point halfway between its ends. As shown in FIG. 16, the firstclamp 802 clamps the lower portion 102 of the central post 74 when theequipment support 820 is carried by the bed 50. As shown in FIG. 20, thesecond clamp 806 clamps the lower portion 102 of the central post 74below the collar 828 when the equipment support 820 is carried by thearm system 54. As shown in FIG. 19, the third clamp 810 clamps the lowerportion 102 of the central post 74 above the collar 828 when theequipment support 820 is carried by the cart 58. The equipment support820 is directly transferable from the bed 50 to the cart 58 to the armsystem 54 and back to the bed 50, in any order.

It should be understood that although the equipment support 820 issupported by the bed 50, the arm system 54, and the wheeled cart 58 inthe illustrated embodiment, the equipment support 820 may very well besupported by other devices, such as a stretcher, a surgical table, awheel chair, a wheeled stand, and the like, that have clamps forclamping the lower portion 102 of the central post 74 of the equipmentsupport 820. The equipment support 820 carries a plurality of monitors824 in the illustrated embodiment. However, it should be understood thatother medical devices, such as heart monitoring equipment, medical gasdelivery equipment, infusion pumps, IV bags, and the like, may very wellbe carried by the equipment support 20. It will be appreciated that suchhospital beds and arm systems are well known and need not be discussedin detail herein. For example, the bed 50 may be of the type marketed byHill-Rom as TotalCare™ hospital bed and the arm system 54 may be of thetype marketed by Hill-Rom as Latitude™ Arm System.

As shown in FIGS. 16, 18, and 19, the bed 50 includes a lower frame 850,an intermediate frame 852, and a patient-support deck 854 supporting amattress 856. A linkage 858 connects the intermediate frame 852 to thelower frame 850. The linkage 858 is operable to raise, lower, and tiltthe intermediate frame 852 and the deck 854 relative to the lower frame850. The bed 850 includes head and foot-end side rails 860. In theillustrated embodiment, the intermediate frame 852 includes head-endframe member 862, which is configured to extend horizontally beyond theperiphery of the deck 854 such that certain items can be mountedthereon, including, for example, push handles 864 having handle grips865 and corner brackets 866 carrying roller bumpers 868.

Push handles 864 are illustratively configured to respond to urges froma caregiver, including pushing or pulling forces exerted on handles 864.Such pushing or pulling of handles 864 causes handles 864 to act uponrespective force sensors interposed between handles 864 and head-endframe member 862. The force sensors may comprise, for example, loadcells (not shown) that are housed in the bed 50 and that sense the forceapplied to handles 864. The load cells send signals to a motorizedtraction device (not shown) for propelling the bed 50, as is disclosedfurther in U.S. Publication Number 2002/0088055 A1, incorporated hereinby reference. However, it should be understood that push handles 864 mayalternatively comprise standard-mount handles, or push handles 864 maybe omitted from bed 50.

As shown, for example, in FIG. 16, a bed mount 870 includes a post 872that extends upwardly from the corner bracket 866 located on a left side874 of the bed 50 near a head end 876 thereof. Each corner bracket 866comprises a pair of vertically-spaced flanges 878, 880 defining abumper-receiving space 882 in which the associated roller bumper 868 isreceived. A lower portion 884 of the post 872 extends through an openingin the upper flange 878, through a central opening in the roller bumper868, and finally through an opening in the lower flange 880. An arm 886has a proximal end 888 coupled to the post 872 for pivoting movementabout a pivot axis 890. The first clamp 802 is coupled to a distal end892 of the arm 886. The first clamp 802 grips the lower portion 102 ofthe central post 74 when the equipment support 820 is carried by the bed50 as shown in FIG. 16.

As shown in FIG. 20, the arm system 54 includes a first radial arm 900that has a proximal end 902 coupled to a ceiling structure 904 forpivoting movement about a first pivot axis 906, a second radial arm 908having a proximal end 910 coupled to a distal end 912 of the firstradial arm 900 for pivoting movement about a second pivot axis 914, anda downwardly-extending service head 916 coupled to a distal end 918 ofthe second radial arm 908 for pivoting movement about a third pivot axis920. An arm mount 922 includes a mounting bracket 924 coupled to theservice head 916. A first arm 926 has a proximal end 928 coupled to themounting bracket 924 for pivoting movement about a first pivot axis 930.A second arm 932 has a proximal end 934 coupled to a distal end 936 ofthe first arm 926 for pivoting movement about a second pivot axis 938.The second clamp 806 is coupled to a distal end 940 of the second arm932. The second clamp 806 grips the lower portion 102 of the centralpost 74 below the collar 828 when the equipment support 820 is carriedby the arm system 54 as shown in FIG. 20.

As shown in FIGS. 16-19, the cart 59 includes a wheeled base 950 and apost 952 extending upwardly from the base 950. The base 950 has acentral hub 954 and five spokes 956 radiating substantially horizontallyoutwardly from the central hub 954. Casters 958 are coupled to distalends of the spokes 956. In the illustrated embodiment, the post 952 hasa lower portion 960, an upper portion 962 that is offset relative to thelower portion 960, and an intermediate portion 964 that connects thelower and upper portions 960, 962. A pair of handles 966 extendoutwardly from an upper end 968 of the post 952. An arm 970 (FIG. 17)extends outwardly from the upper portion 962 of the post 952. The thirdclamp 810 is coupled to a distal end 972 of the arm 970. The third clamp810 grips the lower portion 102 of the central post 74 above the collar828 when the equipment support 820 is carried by the cart 59 as shown inFIG. 19. When the equipment support 820 is carried by the cart 59, thecentral post 74 of the equipment support 820 is generally axiallyaligned with the lower portion 960 of the post 952. This ensures that acenter of gravity of the equipment support 820 is within a footprint ofthe cart 59. In some embodiments, the post 952 carrying the clamp 810 istelescoping, in a manner similar to the telescoping column 552 of thecart 58, so that a vertical position of the third clamp 810 isadjustable.

In the illustrated embodiment, the three clamps 802, 806, 810 aresubstantially identical in construction and operation, except that thefirst clamp 802 is coupled to the arm 886 of the bed 50, the secondclamp 806 is coupled to the arm 932 of the arm system 54, and the thirdclamp 810 is coupled to the arm 970 (FIG. 17) of the cart 59. As showndiagrammatically in FIGS. 21-22, each clamp 802, 806, 810 includes amovable jaw 980 coupled to the associated arm 886, 932, 970 for pivotingmovement about a first pivot pin 982. A handle 984 is coupled to themovable jaw 980 for pivoting movement about a second pivot pin 986. Alink 988 has a first end 990 coupled to the handle 984 for pivotingmovement about a third pivot pin 992. The link 988 has a second end 994coupled to the associated arm 886, 932, 970 for pivoting movement abouta fourth pivot pin 996.

The movable jaw 980, the handle 984, the link 988, and the associatedarm 886, 932, 970 form a four bar linkage such that the movable jaw 980moves between a closed position (FIG. 21) and an opened position (FIG.22) as the handle 984 moves between a closed position (FIG. 21) and anopened position (FIG. 22). The lower portion 102 of the central post 74of the equipment support 820 is received in a post-receiving cavity 998defined by the arm 886, 932, 970 and the movable jaw 980 when themovable jaw 980 is moved to the opened position. The lower portion 102of the central post 74 of the equipment support 820 is clamped betweenthe movable jaw 980 and the associated arm 886, 932, 970 when themovable jaw 980 closes after receiving the lower portion 102 of thecentral post 74 of the equipment support 820 in the post-receivingcavity 998 in response to the handle 984 moving to its closed position.

The handle 984 passes through an over-the-center position as it movesfrom its opened position to its closed position. The lower portion 102of the central post 74 of the equipment support 820 exerts an outwardforce on the movable jaw 980 in a direction that holds the handle 984 ina past-over-the-center closed position. In some embodiments, the clamp802, 806, 810 includes a latch (not shown) movable between an unlatchedposition in which the handle 984 is movable between its closed andopened positions and a latched position in which the handle 984 islatched in its closed position.

As shown in FIG. 16, the first clamp 802 clamps the lower portion 102 ofthe central post 74 of the equipment support 820 below the collar 828when the equipment support 820 is carried by the bed 50. To transfer theequipment support 820 from the bed 50 to the cart 59, the intermediateframe 852 of the bed 50 is lowered to a position where the third clamp810 of the cart 59 is located just above the collar 828 as shown in FIG.18. The handle 984 of the third clamp 810 is then moved to its openedposition to open the movable jaw 980 of the third clamp 810 as shown inFIG. 17. The lower portion 102 of the central post 74 of the equipmentsupport 820 is then received in the post-receiving cavity 998 defined bythe movable jaw 980 and the arm 970 of the third clamp 810 as shown inFIG. 18 and the handle 984 of the third clamp 810 is moved to its closedposition to clamp the lower portion 102 of the central post 74 of theequipment support 820 just above the collar 828. The handle 984 of thefirst clamp 802 of the bed 50 is then moved to its opened position torelease the lower portion 102 of the central post 74 of the equipmentsupport 820 from the bed 50. The cart 59 can then be moved away from thebed 50 with the cart 59 carrying the equipment support 820 as shown inFIG. 19 (or the bed 50 can be moved away from the cart 59 with the cart59 carrying the equipment support 820).

To transfer the equipment support 820 from the cart 59 to the arm system54, the service head of the bed 50 is lowered to a position where thesecond clamp 806 of the arm system 54 is located just below the collar828 as shown in FIG. 20. The handle 984 of the second clamp 806 is thenmoved to its opened position to open the movable jaw 980 of the secondclamp 806. The lower portion 102 of the central post 74 of the equipmentsupport 820 is then received in the post-receiving cavity 998 defined bythe movable jaw 980 and the arm 932 of the second clamp 806 and thehandle 984 of the second clamp 806 is moved to its closed position toclamp the lower portion 102 of the central post 74 of the equipmentsupport 820 just below the collar 828. The handle 984 of the third clamp810 of the cart 59 is then moved to its opened position to release thelower portion 102 of the central post 74 of the equipment support 820from the cart 59. The cart 59 can then be moved away from the arm system54 with the arm system 54 carrying the equipment support 820 as shown InFIG. 20 (or the arm system 54 can be moved away from the cart 59 withthe arm system 54 carrying the equipment support 820).

To transfer the equipment support 820 from arm system 54 to the bed 50,the intermediate frame 852 of the bed 50 is raised to a position wherethe first clamp 802 of the bed 50 is located just above the collar 828.The handle 984 of the first clamp 802 of the bed 50 is then moved to itsopened position to open the movable jaw 980 of the first clamp 802. Thelower portion 102 of the central post 74 of the equipment support 820 isthen received in the post-receiving cavity 998 defined by the movablejaw 980 and the arm 886 of the first clamp 802 and the handle 984 of thefirst clamp 802 is moved to its closed position to clamp the lowerportion 102 of the central post 74 of the equipment support 820 justabove the collar 828. The handle 984 of the second clamp 806 of the armsystem 54 is then moved to its opened position to release the lowerportion 102 of the central post 74 of the equipment support 820 from thearm system 54. The arm system 54 can then be moved away from the bed 50with the bed 50 carrying the equipment support 820 (or the bed 50 can bemoved away from the arm system 54 with the bed 50 carrying the equipmentsupport 820). Thus, the equipment support 820 is transferable from thebed 50 to the cart 59 to the arm system 54 and back to the bed 50, inany order.

FIG. 23 diagrammatically shows a second embodiment 1000 of the patientcare equipment management system 800. The system 1000 comprises anequipment support 1020 that can be transferred from a first device, suchas a hospital bed 1050 having a first clamp 1052, to a second device,such as an arm system 1054 having a second clamp 1056, to a thirddevice, such as a wheeled cart 1058 having a third clamp 1060, in anyorder. The equipment support 1020 is similar to equipment support 820shown in FIGS. 16-20, except that the central post 74 of the equipmentsupport 1020 does not extend below the lower cross bar 68, and theclamps 1052, 1056, 1060 clamp the central post 74 of the equipmentsupport 1020 between the upper and lower cross bars 66, 68 as shown inFIG. 23 with respect to the arm system 1054.

The bed 1050, diagrammatically shown in FIG. 23, is similar to the bed50 shown in FIGS. 16, 18, and 19. As shown in FIG. 23, the bed 1050includes a bed mount 1070 that has a post 1072 that extends upwardlyfrom a corner bracket of the bed 1050, similar to the corner bracket 866of the bed 50 shown in FIG. 16. An arm 1074 has a proximal end coupledto the post 1072 for pivoting movement about a pivot axis 1078. Thefirst clamp 1052 is coupled to a distal end of the arm 1074. The firstclamp 1052 grips the central post 74 of the equipment support 1020between the upper and lower cross bars 66, 68 when the equipment support1020 is carried by the bed 1050.

The arm system 1054, diagrammatically shown in FIG. 23, is similar tothe arm system 54 shown in FIG. 20. As shown in FIG. 23, the arm system1054 includes an arm mount 1090 that has a mounting bracket coupled tothe service head 1092, similar to the mounting bracket 924 of the armsystem 54 shown in FIG. 20. An arm 1094 has a proximal end coupled tothe mounting bracket for pivoting movement. The second clamp 1056 iscoupled to a distal end of the arm 1094. The second clamp 1056 grips thecentral post 74 of the equipment support 1020 between the upper andlower cross bars 66, 68 when the equipment support 1020 is carried bythe arm system 1054 as shown in FIG. 23.

The cart 1058, diagrammatically shown in FIG. 23, is similar to the cart58 shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 23, the cart 1058 includes awheeled base 1110 and a telescoping column 1112 extending upwardly fromthe base 1110. The base 1110 has a central hub 1114 and five spokes 1116radiating substantially horizontally outwardly from the central hub1114. Casters 1118 are coupled to distal ends of the spokes 1116. In theillustrated embodiment, the column 1112 includes an outer tube 1120extending upwardly from the central hub 1114 and an inner tube 1122 thattelescopes into and out of the outer tube 1120. In the illustratedembodiment, a manually operable locking mechanism, such as a gas spring(not shown), is located inside the outer tube 1120 to releasably securethe inner tube 1122 in a selected vertical position relative to theouter tube 1120. A release pedal 1124 extends outwardly from the base1110 and is operable to unlock the gas spring to adjust a verticalelevation of the third clamp 1060. A handle 1126 is coupled to the innertube 1122 just below the third clamp 1060. An arm 1128 extends outwardlyfrom an upper and 1130 of the inner tube 1122. The third clamp 1060 iscoupled to a distal end 1132 of the arm 1128. The third clamp 1060 gripsthe central post 74 of the equipment support 1020 between the upper andlower cross bars 66, 68 when the equipment support 1020 is carried bythe cart 1058.

In the illustrated embodiment, the three clamps 1052, 1056, 1060 aresubstantially identical in construction and operation, except that thefirst clamp 1052 is coupled to the arm 1074 of the bed 1050, the secondclamp 1056 is coupled to the arm 1094 of the arm system 1054, and thethird clamp 1060 is coupled to the arm 1128 of the cart 1058. As shownin FIG. 24, each clamp 1052, 1056, 1060 includes a handle 1140, amovable jaw 1142 coupled to the handle 1140 for pivoting movement abouta first pivot pin 1144, a pair of first links 1146 having first endscoupled to the movable jaw 1142 and coupled to the handle 1140 forpivoting movement about the first pivot pin 1144 and having second endscoupled to the associated arm 1074, 1094, 1128 for pivoting movementabout a second pivot pin 1148, and a pair of second links 1150 havingfirst ends coupled to the associated arm 1074, 1094, 1128 for pivotingmovement about a third pivot pin 1152 and having second ends coupled tothe handle 1140 for pivoting movement about a fourth pivot pin 1154.

The handle 1140, the first links 1146, the second links 1150 and theassociated arm 1074, 1094, 1128 form a four bar linkage such that themovable jaw 1142 moves between a closed position and an opened positionas the handle 1140 moves between a closed position and an openedposition. The central post 74 of the equipment support 1020 is receivedin a post-receiving cavity 1160 defined by the movable jaw 1142 and theassociated arm 1074, 1094, 1128 when the movable jaw 1142 is moved tothe opened position. The central post 74 of the equipment support 1020is clamped between the movable jaw 1142 and the associated arm 1074,1094, 1128 when the movable jaw 1142 closes after receiving the centralpost 74 of the equipment support 1020 in the post-receiving cavity 1170in response to the handle 1140 moving to its closed position.

In some embodiments, the handle 1142 passes through an over-the-centerposition as it moves from its opened position to its closed position.The central post 74 of the equipment support 1020 exerts an outwardforce on the movable jaw 1142 in a direction that holds the handle 1140in a past-over-the-center closed position. In some other embodiments,the clamp 1052, 1056, 1060 includes a latch (not shown) movable betweenan unlatched position in which the handle 1140 is movable between itsclosed and opened positions and a latched position in which the handle1140 is latched in its closed position. The operation of the system 1000is similar to the operation of the system 800. The equipment support 820is directly transferable from the bed 50 to the cart 58 to the armsystem 54 and back to the bed 50, in any order.

FIG. 25 diagrammatically shows a third embodiment 1200 of the patientcare equipment management system 800. The system 1200 comprises anequipment support 1220 that can be transferred from a first device, suchas a hospital bed 1250 having a first clamp 1252, to a second device,such as an arm system 1254 having a second clamp 1256, to a thirddevice, such as a wheeled cart 1258 having a third clamp 1260, in anyorder. The equipment support 1220 is similar to equipment support 1020shown in FIG. 23, except that a central column 1274 replaces the centralpost 74. As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 25, the central post 1274 ofthe equipment support 1220 does not extend below the lower cross bar 68.The central column 1074 has a first vertical track 1276 on a front side1234 of the equipment support 1220 and a second vertical track 1278 on arear side 1236 of the equipment support 1220.

A first clevis 1280 rides in the first track 1276 on the front side 1234of the equipment support 1220. A second clevis 1282 rides in the secondtrack 1278 on the rear side 1236 of the equipment support 1220. Theheight of each clevis 1280, 1282 is changed by depressing an associatedlever 1296. When the lever 1296 is depressed, the associated clevis1280, 1282 is unlocked to move up or down in the associated track 1276,1278. The clevis 1280, 1282 is again locked in place when the lever 1296is released. Each clevis 1280, 1282 includes a pair of vertically-spacedupper and lower flanges 1284, 1286 that extend outwardly from the column1274. The flanges 1284, 1286 have vertically aligned holes 1288, 1290for receiving a pair of oppositely-disposed retractable pins 1292, 1294of the associated clamp 1252, 1256, 1260.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 25, the three clamps 1252, 1256,1260 are substantially identical in construction and operation, exceptthat the first clamp 1252 is coupled to the arm 1074 of the bed 1250,the second clamp 1256 is coupled to the arm 1094 of the arm system 1254,and the third clamp 1260 is coupled to the arm 1128 of the cart 1258. Asshown in FIG. 26, each clamp 1252, 1256, 1260 comprisesoppositely-disposed upper and lower retractable pins 1292, 1294 that aremovable relative to the associated arm 1074, 1094, 1128 betweenrespective retracted and extended positions in response to movement of amanual input 1298 between a releasing position and a locking position.In some embodiments, each clamp 1252, 1256, 1260 comprises a latchmovable between an unlatched position in which the manual input 1298 ismovable between the releasing and locking positions and a latchedposition in which the manual input 1298 is latched in the lockingposition.

The top and bottom flanges 1284, 1286 of each clevis 1280, 1282 definesan arm-receiving space in which the associated arm 1074, 1094, 1128 isreceived. A vertical spacing between the top and bottom flanges 1284,1286 (FIG. 25) of each clevis 1280, 1282 is slightly greater than avertical spacing between the top and bottom sides 1302, 1304 (FIG. 26)of each arm 1074, 1094, 1128. The pins 1292, 1294 are received in theholes 1288, 1290 in the flanges 1284, 1286 of the associated clevis1280, 1282. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the pins 1292, 1294 of thesecond clamp 1256 of the arm system 1254 are received in the holes 1288,1290 in the flanges 1284, 1286 of the second clevis 1282 of theequipment support 1220.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pins 1292, 1294 are disposed on topand bottom sides 1302, 1304 (FIG. 26) of the associated arm 1074, 1094,1128. The top pin 1292 protrudes from the top side 1302 of theassociated arm 1074, 1094, 1128 when the top pin 1292 is disposed in itsextended position. The bottom pin 1294 protrudes from the bottom side1304 of the associated arm 1074, 1094, 1128 when the bottom pin 1294 isdisposed in its retracted position. Head portions 1306 of the pins 1292,1294 are substantially flush with the top and bottom sides 1302, 1304 ofthe associated arm 1074, 1094, 1128 when the pins 1292, 1294 are intheir respective retracted positions.

The bed 1250, diagrammatically shown in FIG. 25, is similar to the bed1050 shown in FIG. 23 except that the clamp 1252 is coupled to the arm1074, instead of the clamp 1052. The pins 1292, 1294 of the clamp 1252are received in respective holes 1288, 1290 in the flanges 1284, 1286 ofthe first clevis 1280 when the equipment support 1220 is carried by thebed 1250. The arm system 1254 is similar to the arm system 1054 shown inFIG. 23, except that the clamp 1256 is coupled to the arm 1094 insteadof the clamp 1056. The pins 1292, 1294 of the clamp 1256 are received inrespective holes 1288, 1290 in the flanges 1284, 1286 of the secondclevis 1282 when the equipment support 1220 is carried by the arm system1254 as shown in FIG. 25. The cart 1258 is similar to the cart 1058shown in FIG. 23, except that the clamp 1260 is coupled to the arm 1128instead of the clamp 1060. The pins 1292, 1294 of the clamp 1260 arereceived in respective holes 1288, 1290 in the flanges 1284, 1286 of thefirst clevis 1280 when the equipment support 1220 is carried by the cart1258. The operation of the system 1200 is generally similar to theoperation of the systems 800, 1000.

The first clamp 1252 clamps the first clevis 1280 of the equipmentsupport 1220 when the equipment support 1220 is carried by the bed 1250.When the equipment support 1220 is carried by the bed 1250, the arm 1074of the bed 1250 is received between the flanges 1284, 1286 of the firstclevis 1280 and the pins 1292, 1294 of the first clamp 1252 of the bed1250 are received in the holes 1288, 1290 in the flanges 1284, 1286 ofthe first clevis 1280. To transfer the equipment support 1220 from thebed 1250 to the arm system 1254, the pins 1292, 1294 of the second clamp1256 of the arm system 1254 are retracted and the arm 1094 of the armsystem 1254 is positioned between the flanges 1284, 1286 of the secondclevis 1282 so that the pins 1292, 1294 of the second clamp 1256 arealigned with the holes 1288, 1290 in the flanges 1284, 1286 of thesecond clevis 1282. The pins 1292, 1294 of the second clamp 1256 of thearm system 1256 are then extended so that the pins 1292, 1294 of thesecond clamp 1256 are received in the holes 1288, 1290 in the flanges1284, 1286 of the second clevis 1282. The pins 1292, 1294 of the firstclamp 1252 of the bed 1250 are then retracted to free the equipmentsupport 1220 from the bed 1250. The arm system 1254 can then be movedaway from the bed 1250 with the arm system 1254 carrying the equipmentsupport 1220 as shown in FIG. 25 (or the bed 1250 can be moved away fromthe arm system 1254 with the arm system 1254 carrying the equipmentsupport 1220).

To transfer the equipment support 1220 from the arm system 1254 to thecart 1258, the pins 1292, 1294 of the third clamp 1260 of the cart 1258are retracted and the arm 1128 of the cart 1258 is positioned betweenthe flanges 1284, 1286 of the first clevis 1280 so that the pins 1292,1294 of the third clamp 1260 are aligned with the holes 1288, 1290 inthe flanges 1284, 1286 of the first clevis 1280. The pins 1292, 1294 ofthe third clamp 1260 of the cart 1258 are then extended so that the pins1292, 1294 of the third clamp 1260 are received in the holes 1288, 1290in the flanges 1284, 1286 of the first clevis 1280. The pins 1292, 1294of the second clamp 1256 of the arm system 1254 are then retracted tofree the equipment support 1220 from the arm system 1254. The cart 1258can then be moved away from the arm system 1254 with the cart 1258carrying the equipment support 1220 (or the arm system 1254 can be movedaway from the cart 1258 with the cart 1258 carrying the equipmentsupport 1220).

To transfer the equipment support 1220 from the cart 1258 to the bed,the pins 1292, 1294 of the first clamp 1252 of the bed 1250 areretracted and the arm 1074 of the bed 1250 is positioned between theflanges 1284, 1286 of the second clevis 1282 so that the pins 1292, 1294of the first clamp 1252 are aligned with the holes 1288, 1290 in theflanges 1284, 1286 of the second clevis 1282. The pins 1292, 1294 of thefirst clamp 1252 of the bed 1250 are then extended so that the pins1292, 1294 of the first clamp 1252 are received in the holes 1288, 1290in the flanges 1284, 1286 of the second clevis 1282. The pins 1292, 1294of the third clamp 1260 of the cart 1258 are then retracted to free theequipment support 1220 from the cart 1258. The cart 1258 can then bemoved away from the bed 1250 with the bed 1250 carrying the equipmentsupport 1220 (or the bed 1250 can be moved away from the cart 1258 withthe bed 1250 carrying the equipment support 1220).

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain illustrative embodiments, variations and modifications existwith the scope and spirit of this disclosure as described and defined inthe following claims.

1. A patient care equipment support transferable between a first devicehaving a first coupling member and a second device having a secondcoupling member, the equipment support comprising: an equipmentsupporting portion configured to support patient care equipment, and acoupler coupled to the equipment supporting portion and having first andsecond clamps, wherein the first clamp includes a first handle, thefirst clamp being configured to grip the first coupling member when thefirst handle is moved to a locking position, and wherein the secondclamp includes a second handle, the second clamp being configured togrip the second coupling member when the second handle is moved to alocking position, the first and second handles moveable independently ofone another, wherein the coupler further includes a mounting block, afirst link and a second link, the first clamp further includes a firstjaw, the first handle coupled to a first side of the mounting block andthe first link coupled to the first jaw and coupled to the first handlesuch that the first jaw moves between an opened position and a closedposition as the first handle moves between a releasing position and thelocking position, the second clamp further includes a second jaw, thesecond handle coupled to a second side of the mounting block and thesecond link coupled to the second jaw and coupled to the second handlesuch that the second jaw moves between an opened position and a closedposition as the second handle moves between a releasing position and thelocking position, and wherein the coupler comprises a post that extendsdownwardly from the equipment supporting portion, and the mounting blockis coupled to the post, and wherein the first jaw is coupled to thefirst side of the mounting block for pivoting movement about a firstpivot pin, the first handle is coupled to the first side of the mountingblock for pivoting movement about a second pivot pin, and the first linkhas a first end coupled to the first jaw for pivoting movement about athird pivot pin, the first link has a second end coupled to the firsthandle for pivoting movement about a fourth pivot pin, the second jaw iscoupled to the second side of the mounting block for pivoting movementabout a fifth pivot pin, the second handle is coupled to the second sideof the mounting block for pivoting movement about a sixth pivot pin, thesecond link has a first end coupled to the second jaw for pivotingmovement about a seventh pivot pin, and the second link has a second endcoupled to the second handle for pivoting movement about an eighth pivotpin.
 2. The equipment support of claim 1, wherein the coupler comprisesa post that extends downwardly from the equipment supporting portion,and the first and second clamps are coupled to the post on first andsecond sides of the post.
 3. The equipment support of claim 1, whereinthe first clamp is closeable to grip the first coupling member when theequipment support is carried by the first device, and the second clampis closeable to grip the second coupling member, and the equipmentsupport is transferable from the first device to the second device whenthe first clamp releases the first coupling member allowing the firstdevice to move away from the second device.
 4. The equipment support ofclaim 1, wherein the mounting block, the first jaw, the first handle,and the first link form a first four bar linkage, and the mountingblock, the second jaw, the second handle, and the second link form asecond four bar linkage.
 5. The equipment support of claim 1, whereinthe first coupling member of the first device comprises a first postthat is configured to be received in a first post-receiving cavitydefined by the first jaw and the mounting block when the first jaw ismoved to the opened position, and the first post is clamped between thefirst jaw and the mounting block when the first jaw moves to the closedposition after receiving the first post in the first post-receivingcavity in response to the first handle moving to the locking position.6. The equipment support of claim 5, wherein a second post-receivingcavity is defined by the second jaw and the mounting block when thesecond jaw is moved to the opened position, and the second jaw moves tothe closed position in response to the second handle moving to thelocking position.
 7. The equipment support of claim 6, furthercomprising a lock configured such that when a post is received in one ofthe post-receiving cavities and the associated handle is moved to thelocking position, said post is locked to the equipment support coupler,and such that when a second post is received in the second of thepost-receiving cavity, both of the handles are unlocked so thatrespective engagements of both posts and the equipment support couplerare releasable.
 8. The equipment support of claim 7, wherein the lockcomprises a first slider and a second slider which are both springbiased such that a first tab of the first slider projects into thesecond post-receiving cavity and a first hook of the first sliderengages the third pivot pin to normally lock the first handle in thelocking position and such that a second tab of the second sliderprojects into the first post-receiving cavity and a second hook of thesecond slider engages the seventh pivot pin to normally lock the secondhandle in the locking position.
 9. The equipment support of claim 8,wherein, when the first post is received in the first post-receivingcavity, the first post engages the second tab to shift the second slideragainst a spring force to disengage the second hook from engagement withthe seventh pivot pin to unlock the second handle.
 10. The equipmentsupport of claim 8, wherein each slider has two slots through which thefirst and fifth pivot pins extend so that the sliders can shift betweentheir respective latching positions and unlatching positions.
 11. Theequipment support of claim 8, wherein the lock further comprises aspring that is situated in a state of compression between the first andsecond tabs to bias the first and second sliders in opposite directionsso that the first tab projects into the second post-receiving cavity andthe second tab projects into the first post-receiving cavity.
 12. Theequipment support of claim 6, further comprising a lock that is movableto the first side when the first handle is in the locking position tolock the first handle in the locking position and to lock the first jawin the closed position and to unlock the second handle and the lock ismovable to the second side when the second handle is in the lockingposition to lock the second handle in the locking position and to lockthe second jaw in the closed position and to unlock the first handle.13. The equipment support of claim 12, wherein the lock is not movableto the first side when the first handle is the releasing position andthe lock is not movable to the second side when the second handle is thereleasing position.
 14. The equipment support of claim 1, wherein theequipment supporting portion comprises an upper cross bar, a lower crossbar, a pair of outer posts extending between the upper and lower crossbars adjacent to the opposite ends thereof and a central post extendingbetween the upper and lower cross bars between the two outer posts, andthe first and second clamps are coupled to a lower portion of thecentral post that extends below the lower cross bar.
 15. The equipmentsupport of claim 14, wherein each outer post comprises a first portionand a second portion that telescopes into and out of the first portionand a lock movable between a releasing position allowing the secondportion to telescope into and out of the first portion and a lockingposition preventing the second portion from telescoping relative to thefirst portion.
 16. The equipment support of claim 15, wherein each outerpost further comprises a plurality of IV bag hooks coupled to an upperend of the second portion.
 17. The equipment support of claim 14,further comprising a pair of handles extending forwardly from the lowercross bar adjacent to the outer posts.